15 Holiday Photoshoot Outfit Ideas That’ll Make Your Christmas Cards Legendary

Holiday photoshoots are a whole different beast than regular outfit planning. You need something that looks amazing in photos, coordinates well if you’re shooting with family or friends, and captures that festive spirit without looking like you raided a costume shop. Whether you’re doing family portraits, couples shots, or solo holiday pics, here are 15 outfit ideas that’ll have you looking picture-perfect.

1. The Classic Christmas Colors Done Right

Red and green can work beautifully for holiday photos if you do it thoughtfully. Skip the literal Christmas sweater and instead try a deep burgundy dress or a forest green blouse. The key is choosing sophisticated versions of these colors rather than bright, primary versions. A burgundy midi dress with gold accessories or a forest green silk top with cream pants gives you that holiday feeling without looking like a walking ornament.

2. Cozy Cream and Camel Neutrals

Neutral tones photograph beautifully and create that warm, cozy holiday vibe without being too literal. Think cream cable-knit sweaters, camel coats, beige scarves, and tan boots. These colors work especially well for outdoor winter shoots because they complement snowy backgrounds perfectly. The monochrome neutral palette creates a cohesive, elegant look that feels timeless rather than trendy.

3. The Velvet Moment

Velvet is basically made for holiday photos. The texture catches light beautifully and adds instant richness to any outfit. A velvet blazer in deep navy or emerald green, a velvet midi dress in burgundy, or even velvet pants paired with a silk blouse creates that luxurious holiday feeling. Velvet photographs with incredible depth and dimension, making it perfect for professional holiday portraits.

4. Metallic Magic

Metallics add glamour and catch light beautifully in photos, making them perfect for holiday shoots. A gold silk blouse, a silver pleated skirt, or a dress with subtle metallic threading gives you that festive sparkle without being over-the-top. The key is choosing one metallic piece and keeping everything else simple. Metallics work especially well for evening or indoor shoots with good lighting.

5. The Plaid Family Coordination

Plaid is holiday classic for a reason – it photographs well and feels festive without being too literal. For family photos, try incorporating different scales of the same plaid pattern, or use plaid as an accent piece rather than having everyone wear head-to-toe plaid. Maybe one person wears a plaid scarf, another a plaid shirt, and someone else plaid pants. It creates cohesion without looking like you’re all wearing uniforms.

6. Winter White Elegance

All-white or cream outfits create stunning holiday photos, especially against winter backdrops. White photographs beautifully and feels fresh and elegant. Try layering different textures in the same color family – a cream wool sweater, white jeans, and a beige scarf create depth and interest while maintaining that clean, elegant look. Add some subtle metallic accessories for a touch of holiday glamour.

7. The Statement Coat Look

Sometimes your coat is the star of the photo, especially for outdoor winter shoots. A fabulous coat in a bold color or interesting texture can be your entire holiday look. Think a bright red wool coat, a leopard print coat, or a coat with interesting buttons or details. Keep everything underneath simple and let your coat do all the talking. This approach works especially well for lifestyle-type holiday photos.

8. Jewel Tone Richness

Deep jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, and amethyst purple photograph beautifully and feel appropriately festive. These colors have enough richness to feel special while being sophisticated enough to look elegant in photos. A sapphire blue dress, emerald green blouse, or deep purple sweater creates that holiday feeling without being too literal about Christmas colors.

9. The Layered Texture Approach

Layering different textures creates visual interest in photos and gives you that cozy winter vibe. Think a chunky knit sweater over a collared shirt, a vest over a blouse, or a scarf that adds texture to a simple outfit. The different textures catch light differently and create depth in photographs. This approach works especially well for casual family photos or outdoor shoots.

10. Black Tie Holiday Glam

For more formal holiday photos, lean into full glamour. A black velvet dress, a sequined top, or a dress with interesting beading creates that special occasion feeling. Keep accessories elegant but not overwhelming – you want the focus to be on you, not your jewelry. This approach works beautifully for couples photos or when you want your holiday cards to feel more formal and elegant.

11. The Coordinated Family Palette

If you’re doing family photos, choose a color palette rather than exact matching outfits. Maybe everyone wears different shades of blue and cream, or burgundy and gold. This creates cohesion without looking too matchy. The key is having everyone stay within the same color family while wearing pieces that reflect their individual personalities. It looks intentional but not forced.

12. Casual Holiday Vibes

Not every holiday photo needs to be formal. Cozy sweaters, nice jeans, and comfortable boots can create beautiful, relaxed holiday photos. The key is choosing elevated versions of casual pieces – a cashmere sweater instead of a basic knit, dark wash jeans instead of faded ones, nice boots instead of worn sneakers. This approach feels authentic and comfortable while still looking polished.

13. The Pop of Holiday Color

If you prefer more neutral outfits, add just one pop of holiday color through accessories. A red scarf with an all-black outfit, green shoes with a cream dress, or a burgundy handbag with a navy ensemble. This gives you that festive feeling without committing to a full holiday color scheme. It’s subtle but still acknowledges the season.

14. Vintage Holiday Inspired

Draw inspiration from vintage holiday photos for a timeless look. Think 1950s-style fit-and-flare dresses, 1960s shift dresses with interesting details, or 1970s-inspired wide-leg pants with fitted tops. Vintage-inspired pieces often photograph beautifully because they have classic silhouettes and interesting details. Plus, this approach feels unique and personal rather than trendy.

15. The Unexpected Holiday Look

Break the rules with something unexpected but still appropriate. Maybe a beautiful floral dress in winter colors, a jumpsuit in a festive fabric, or an interesting pattern that incorporates holiday colors in a subtle way. The key is choosing something that feels special and photo-worthy while still being true to your personal style. Sometimes the most memorable holiday photos come from unexpected outfit choices.

Photo-Ready Tips

Remember that what looks good in person doesn’t always translate perfectly to photos. Avoid very small patterns that can look busy in pictures, and be mindful of how your outfit will look against your chosen background. If you’re shooting outdoors in snow, darker colors will pop more. If you’re doing indoor photos with warm lighting, be aware of how different colors will look under those conditions.

The best holiday photo outfit is one that makes you feel confident and comfortable while being appropriate for your shoot concept. Whether you go classic and traditional or modern and unexpected, make sure it’s authentically you – that’s what will make your holiday photos truly special.